Drunk drivers getting the message - mostly

FILE PHOTO - Penticton RCMP are reporting fewer impaired drivers being caught during the seasonal counterattack roadside check program taking place through the holidays.

(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)

December 12, 2017 - 5:24 PM

PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP are finding their message is hitting home this holiday season, but say they won’t be letting up on random roadside checks throughout the holiday season.

Police spokesperson Cpl. Ted Manchulenko says word amongst the region’s counterattack road check officers is, for the most part, people are being responsible, and drivers are staying sober this year.

“We’ve been pretty fortunate, people are being responsible and that’s what we want to see. Vehicles are full of happy people and the driver is sober,” he said.

Manchulenko did note one exception following a police investigation of a vehicle that left the roadway and plunged down an embankment on White Lake Road on Dec. 5.

The 31-year-old woman was extricated from the vehicle by a passer-by, but she was later found to be impaired and is facing charges.

There were no serious injuries reported, but the 2009 Nissan was a write off.

Manchulenko noted counterattack road checks will continue at random hours throughout the day, at random points throughout the city and region with South Okanagan Traffic Services and the Penticton detachment conducting the checks throughout the holiday season.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.

Every week, WildSafe B.C. posts a new video to its Facebook page to highlight a wild space in the B.C. Interior. This week, provincial WildSafe B.C. coordinator Frank Ritcey takes you on a grassland hike near Kamloops showin